Asa's Faith - Asa Part 3

As we continue to look at the life of Asa, we see once again his righteousness and faith, and how his faith was rewarded. Last week, we saw Asa's faith in the LORD against the army of Ethiopians, how for the second time in a row, God gave rest to the land. Now look at we read in chapter 15, verses 1-15 (summarized):

 “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law, but when in their distress they turned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them…take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.”

“As soon as Asa heard these words…he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the cities that he had taken in the hill country of Ephraim, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord. And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the LORD his God was with him…And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul…And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the LORD gave them rest all around.”

By faith, Asa believed the words of the prophet, that God would be near to Asa so long as Asa was near to God. Asa believed that God was waiting to be found by His people. And Asa took courage and continued to engage in religious reform, leading many Israelites to rededicate themselves to the worship of Yahweh.

Because of Asa’s faith, we read once again “And the LORD gave them rest all around.” God rewarded Asa’s faith. He rewarded His drawing near, just as Hebrews says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”

Friend, what the prophet said to Asa remains true for us today. “The LORD is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you.” God is not far from you. If you feel like He’s distant, perhaps it’s because you’ve been distant from Him. Draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. And as you experience His presence, take courage and engage in the work of the LORD, just like Asa did!